2)–First Lady urges partnerships for the needy

Kasama, March 4, 2015, ZANIS– First Lady Esther Lungu has called on well-wishers to come on board and partner with government in helping the needy in society.

She said Zambia is among African countries that have a high number of people with disabilities hence needing help from well-wishes.

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The First Lady was speaking when she visited Mapalo Day Centre and Chikuku orphanage in Kasama.

She said Northern province has the highest number of people with disabilities in Zambia hence the need for stakeholders to partner with the government in alleviating their plight.

Mrs Lungu said she will work hard to lobby for support for disadvantaged women and vulnerable children from both the government and well-wishers from all sectors of society.

She said the differently abled have a right to education and medication among other human rights, hence the need for government and partners to play their roles in ensuring that these rights are protected.

Mrs. Lungu further advised members of the public not to discriminate any disabled person in any spectrum of society.

She later visited Chileshe Chepela Special School for the Disabled and Kasama General Hospital mothers’ shelter and psychopaedic children ward.

The centers also received donations in the form of mealie meal, sugar, clothes, footballs and educational materials.

The First Lady is accompanied to Kasama by former First Lady Vera Chiluba and some ministers’ spouses.

The First Lady is today expected in Mungwi and will wind up her visit of Northern Province with a fundraising dinner for women this evening.